touch of class.final.11.9.15
TRANSCRIPT
In This Issue—
New Building: 301
West High Street
Student Highlight:
Lucia Allen
MAPR Alumni
Updates
Faculty Spotlight:
Dr. Alison Novak
Spring Semester
Course Offerings
Mentor Night 2015
Find the Graduate Resource Room
Rowan University’s Public Relations and Advertising
Department said goodbye to Bozorth Hall and hello
to a new home at 301 West High Street. This new
state-of-the-art building offers an opportunity for
students and faculty to work and learn in
technology-equipped and modern meeting and
classroom spaces. With over $6 million invested in
the new building’s design Rowan strived to provide for the varying needs of students, faculty and
guests alike. The three-story construction, 15,000+ square-foot building features multiple classrooms,
faculty offices, adjunct spaces, advanced computer labs, conference rooms, student lounge areas
and an art gallery.
According to the President, Rowan University and Glassboro remain inextricably linked and this
building serves to foster that relationship and bring growth to the area. The dual commitment to
Rowan University’s expansion and the Borough includes careful integration of local structures.
News About the Rowan University Graduate Public Relations Program
Touch of Class Volume 23, Issue 1 Fall 2015
New Year; New Building PR and Advertising Moves to 301 West High Street
Top Left: First floor art gallery Top Right: Building entrance walkway
Bottom Left: Second floor student lounge area Bottom Right: Third floor classroom
Lucia Allen currently works full-time at a local non-profit and takes night and online classes in the Master’s in Public Relations Program. In an inter-view with Graduate Assistant, Victoria Woodside, she offers insight on the program and advice for potential future students.
Q: Where did you attend undergrad and what did you study during your time there? A: I attended Northeastern University for my undergrad. I studied biochemistry for two years, and then I switched to double-majoring in English and Journalism, with a minor in French.
Q. What led you to the decision to pursue graduate studies? A: I missed writing; when I was looking at possible job avenues for myself in the coming years that would include more writing and utilized more of my education and skill-set, I saw the role of health communications specialist at the NIH and I thought that would be a position I could see myself doing in general; it married my entire educational career perfectly it seemed, but I did lack pure PR experience. So, although I had a strong writing background, I thought the best way to pick up PR skills and acumen specifically was to obtain my MA in PR. Q: Why did you choose Rowan’s Master’s in Public Relations Program? A: I really wanted to go to graduate school, but I was unsure how to keep the cost reasonable, and still stay at my job and utilize their educational assistance. I was at one point starting applications to go overseas because it just seemed so much more reasonable and I had studied and worked overseas before. My mother and uncle suggested looking closer to home; my uncle said Rutgers, my mother said Rowan. Rowan actually had the MA I wanted, a great in-state tuition rate, and was a good commute between my job and home. I was sold--and I would not have to obtain a visa!
Q: What aspects of the program do you enjoy most? A: I enjoy the flexibility of the program, I am able to keep my day job and attend school at night, so it's a good fit for working adults, or those who may have family. I like that the program is small, so I can still get to know at least some of my professors in graduate school like I did in undergrad.
Q: What are your plans after completing the program? A: I enjoy my work right now in the non-profit sector, but I would consider working in the private sector some day just to see how it is, but I ultimately see myself returning to the public sector, perhaps working for the government, at NIH or NCI. I have a bit of a global health perspective so I like to consider big organizations, the CDC and WHO included.
Q: Do you have any advice for undergraduate juniors and seniors who may be considering pursuing graduate degrees? A: My advice would be to vary your internship experiences and be a little more thoughtful about the electives you take. You may end up figuring out what you want to do in graduate school in PR or graduate school in general through those additional classes or outside work. I have done co-ops and internships in education and marketing, book publishing, and traditional print journalism, and taken electives in anthropology and acting. All of those past experiences can come in handy. All of those experiences can also make you a very diverse, special candidate in the work force.
Above: First year MAPR student, Lucia Allen.
Student Highlight: An Interview with Lucia Allen
“Rowan actually
had the MA I
wanted, a great
in-state tuition rate,
and was a good
commute
between my job
and home.”
Alumni Updates Where are they now?
Hannah Lindeblad, ‘15, recently accepted a job as the Coordinator of Marketing and Digital Media for the Department of Student Communications at Montclair State University in northern New Jersey. Hannah is getting married next fall to fiancé Andrew Wiese, who also works at the college.
Want to contribute to the next
collection of alumni updates?
Email Victoria Woodside at
Jamie Lambe, ‘15, completed the MAPR program this past June. She currently works at Burlington Stores Inc. (Burlington Coat Factory Headquarters) as a copywriter in the eCommerce Department.
Cristin Kastner Farney,’03, accepted the newly created position of digital content strategist with Rowan Web Services. She will continue to teach undergraduate PR students as an adjunct faculty member.
Stephanie Cristino, ‘14, works as a technical writer for Hill International, Inc., a global construction management company. Prior to Hill, Stephanie worked in the health care industry for three years providing various PR and marketing services. She resides in Philadelphia, PA and enjoys running, yoga and traveling.
Touch of Class Staff—
Writer and Editor:
Victoria Woodside
Graduate Assistant
Advisors:
Dr. Suzanne FitzGerald
Department Chair
Edward H. Moore, APR
Professor
The Touch of Class newsletter is
published by the M.A. in P.R.
program College of Communication
& Creative Arts Rowan University.
Special thanks to Lucia Allen,
Hannah Lindeblad, Cristin Kastner
Farney, Jamie Lambe, Stephanie
Cristino and Dr. Novak for
contributing to this volume of TOC.
Questions?
Email: Victoria Woodside
Alison Novak, Ph.D., started studying Public Relations as an undergraduate at Marist College. She then worked as a media relations consultant for the Hudson Fulton Champaign Quadricentennial Commission following graduation. As part of the New York Governor’s office, the Hudson Champaign Quadricentennial Commission was in charge of creating and celebrating the 400th anniversary of New York.
Novak “knew [she] wanted to go back to school to study public engagement in government.” This desire led her to pursue her Ph.D. at Drexel University in Communication, Culture, and Media. Her research there looked primarily at how political campaigns communicate and engage young people and the millennial generation. This winter she will publish a book based on her research of young people and political engagement.
Novak went on to work at Temple University in its communication program for one year following graduation from Drexel. She started working for Rowan University this September and is, “looking forward to getting to know more of the Rowan community this year!” As a professor in the College of Communication and Creative Arts she currently teaches Public Opinion, Integrated Marketing Communication and Intro. to Public Relations/Advertising Research. Welcome Dr. Novak!
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Alison Novak
Spring Semester 2016: Graduate Course Offerings
On
line
Co
urs
es
CRN 21852 CRN 21853
CRN 21841 CRN 21842
Fundraising & Development (2 credits) (Mar. 1– April 25)
Understanding & Writing Grant Proposals (1 credit) (Mar. 1– April 25) Online Public Relations (3 credits) (Mar. 1— April 25) School Public Relations (3 credits) (Jan. 5— Feb. 29)
On
Ca
mp
us
CRN 24072 Special Topics: How Media Affect Reputation (3 credits) Wednesday, 6:30—9 (Jan. 19— May 7) Bozorth 114
Advanced Techniques (3 credits) Monday, 6:30—9 (Jan. 19 —May 7) 301 High, 205
CRN 21688
CRN 21843 Graduate Internship (3 credits) 80 hours weekly
CRN 21851 Seminar (3 credits) Tuesday, 2—4:45 (Jan. 21— May 7) 301 High, 326
CRN 21854 Seminar (3 credits) Tuesday, 5—7:45 (Jan. 21— May 7) 301 High, 326
CRN 21861 Graduate Case Studies in Public Relations (1 credit) Thursday, 6:30—9 (Jan. 21—Feb.18) 301 High, 216
CRN 21857 Graduate Public Relations Planning (2 credits) Thursday, 6:30—9 (Feb. 25—April 28) 301 High, 216
Recent Mentors:
Rosemary Braude
Media & Public Relations
Rowan University
Stephanie Cristino
Vindico Medical Education
Ray Daiutolo
United States Postal Service
Don Dunnington
Coperion K-Tron
Diana Gervasi
Inspira Health Network
Jennifer Johnston
Christiana Care Health System
Marisa Sharkey
Independent Consultant.
The M.A. in Public Relations annual Mentor Night will be here soon! Take this opportunity to meet a mentor working in an area of public relations that interests you. With a mentor students can gain insight, ask questions and receive advice from someone outside the program and in the work field.
Mentor night will take place on Tuesday, December 8 in the new art gallery located on the first floor of the Public Relations and Advertising building at 301 High Street. This event begins at 6 PM. Come and meet your mentor to start this meaningful relationship.
If you have any questions or need additional information, or if you would like to become a mentor to an MAPR student please email Victoria Woodside at [email protected].
Above: Mentor, Diana Gervasi, and MAPR student, Kimberlee Cirillo, smile
for a picture at the 2014 Mentor Night.
Did You Know? Graduate Resource Room: 2nd Floor, Rm 214 The Graduate Resource Room houses a collection of material related to public relations and communication. In the resource room you will find: theses and research projects, student public relations plans, scholarly texts and manuals on communication, management and research.
Stop by the resource room to look through its materials and take advantage of available information on various public relations topics. You can find additional materials located in the third floor conference room. Also, if you need a last minute stapler or other office supplies feel free to check in the resource room to see what’s available.
For more information on the Graduate Resource Room contact Graduate Assistant, Victoria Woodside via email at [email protected].
Connect with fellow Rowan public relations graduates and students through our new Facebook group. Share job leads, internship information or ask PR-related questions. As a closed group, only other group members can see your posts or replies.
Link: http://www.facebook.com/groups/953191958095248/
Or search for Rowan PR Grads and Majors.
Get Connected
Join us in our new home for
Mentor Night 2015